Some destinations earn their reputation through novelty; Lake House Restaurant earns its through constancy -- a rare and more demanding virtue. Nestled along the shores of Lake Ontario in Vineland, this storied establishment, housed in a structure dating to 1867, has become one of those places that quietly lodges itself in the memory and refuses to leave. We made the drive -- well over an hour -- for a Sunday brunch, and not for the first time. It is the kind of restaurant one finds oneself recommending without hesitation, not as a curiosity or a seasonal indulgence, but as a benchmark. The setting alone would justify the journey: a sweeping, unobstructed view of the lake from the sunroom and patio that shifts in character with the light, the season, and the mood of the sky above. On a clear day, the Toronto skyline is visible on the horizon -- an almost implausible grace note. But Lake House does not rest on its scenery. The kitchen demonstrates genuine culinary ambition with a menu that draws from Mediterranean traditions while remaining grounded in local and seasonal sensibility. The salmon crab cakes -- a pairing that sounds indulgent and delivers accordingly -- arrive with a pineapple and mango chutney and sriracha aioli that balance richness with levity. The Great Canadian Burger is a study in considered indulgence: brioche, peameal bacon, sweet bacon jam, and spiced maple aioli achieving a harmony of sweetness, heat, and savoriness that lingers well past the last bite. The service matched the occasion throughout. From the welcome at the door to our server Rhonda -- attentive, warm, and precisely calibrated in her pacing -- to the supervisor who moved quietly through the room ensuring that every table was well attended, the floor operates with the kind of seamless, unhurried care that is too often mistaken for effortlessness. It is not effortless. It is practiced and deliberate, and all the more impressive for it. Lake House Restaurant is a destination that justifies the drive, rewards the return, and -- in a dining landscape where so few establishments manage all three -- that is no small thing. read more

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If you enjoy condiments the semolina crusted calamari ($26) comes with four dipping sauces: sweet-curried aioli, sweet chili, basil pesto aioli, and sriracha aioli. It would've been nice if at least one packed a bit of heat, but they're all tame, adding flavour without overpowering the squid. Thankfully, the semolina crust was excellent - crunchy, light, and not oily at all. The portion is generous and easily shareable between two or three people. A newer addition to the menu is the short rib sandwich ($34), and it's a good one. Large chunks of tender, flavourful beef are topped with sautéed mushrooms, crispy onions, arugula, and brie. The cheese adds a creamy richness that makes the sandwich stand out. The menu notes a horseradish aioli, but any zing from it gets buried under the slightly sweet braising sauce, which was too sugary for my taste. I would've preferred it kept more savoury. The sandwich is already quite saucy, and yet more sauce arrives on the side. Good for fries if you choose to switch the salad to spuds. After hearing plenty about the Great Canadian Burger ($29), I couldn't resist splitting one, though I ultimately wish I hadn't. The short rib sandwich is better. The burger is hefty, with a thick beef patty that's overly dense and heavily mixed, giving it more of a frozen-patty texture than the crumbly tenderness of a good homemade one. The potato bun also struggled to hold up against the avalanche of toppings: grilled peameal bacon, cheddar, onion, tomato, arugula, pickle, and two sauces. I'm not sure why the kitchen insists on sweetening everything - the burger comes with caramelized onion bacon jam and a maple chipotle aioli, both quite sugary. If you enjoy sweeter savoury dishes, you'll probably like it. Otherwise, I'd skip the handhelds. On our weekday lunch visit, the restaurant was well staffed and attentive. Even though we never felt rushed, we were in and out within about an hour. If anything, the service bordered on overly attentive... during that hour we were interrupted six times by four different people checking if everything was okay. My suggestion: let the primary server handle most of the check-ins, and only have others step in if things get busy. read more

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Unbelievable meal. The whipped feta cheese with butternut squash, pomegranate, pistachio, orange honey and thyme was one of the best things I have ever eaten. The Moroccan lamb was also incredible but the whipped feta was truly out of this world. read more

Lake House Restaurant - Moroccan lamb. - Mediterranean Near Me - Vineland, Ontario

We made a reservation for our party of 8 as the restaurant is pretty popular and is a nice place to stop at on the way to Niagara Falls. With a view of Lake Ontario, it has a rustic modern vibe where you can do indoor or outdoor seating. The staff were helpful in giving us recommendations and accommodating when we had other requests. Salmon Crab Cakes - The crab cake itself was lightly crusted and had a good salmon flavor that came through. The fresh pineapple and mango chutney on top added freshness while the sriracha aioli added a mild spiciness. Fresh P.E.I Mussels - The portion size of this was massive like the size of a mini pot. The garlic and tomato were the rich flavors that came through and I love when it is paired with mussels. The highlight for me was the onion white wine soup at the bottom that was comforting and delicious with bread. Great Canadian Burger - One of the most indulgent and tasty burgers I have had. First, the bun was so soft and a perfect brioche bun. The beef patty was thick and super juicy and it went well with the peameal bacon that added texture, sweet bacon jam and spicy maple aioli. It was a decadent mix of sweetness, spiciness and savoriness. From the portion size to the flavors and the price, we had an amazing experience and would love to come back to try some of their other main dishes. read more

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Brunch with a view. Had a lovely Sunday brunch with window seating and views of Lake Ontario. The Chicken Shashuka with Moroccan spiced tomato sauce was flavourful and nicely seasoned. Also enjoyed the fish tacos, which was lightly battered and not greasy. I opted for a side of baby greens salad at the same price instead of fries for a healthier option. I only wished there were a couple of additional brunch options available. Service was good. read more

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Went here for Sunday dinner and had a really nice time. The dining room decor isn't spectacular, but does have a lot of windows with a nice view of the lake. Honestly, next time I think I will choose a patio table facing the lake. The service and food were outstanding. All of our dishes were presented well, very fresh, and tasted excellent. We had the Tiger shrimp fettuccine, chicken supreme, and fettuccini bolognese that had lots of great tasting meat sauce. read more

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Absolutely worth making a run over the border! Food is top-tier. Service is absolutely lovely! Very knowledgeable and just the right amount of cheeky. I am a repeat customer, and will continue to be! Treat yourself to a gorgeous view and a perfectly comforting meal. read more

I love the location, seating and food. They were kind enough to read our comments made during reservations and made arrangements accordingly. Really appreciate that. Food was worth the drive and ambiance was pretty romantic and child friendly at the same time. I went on a date with my hubby for brunch. The lakeview is just breathtaking. Seats are pretty spaced so you have full privacy. There were many vegetarian options to choose from and i went with a soup and a brie warm salad. They both were exceptionally good. However they only thing they can work on is service, we found our server a little not engaged or wasnot paying enough attention, it was kind of disappointing. There were other servers who we had to approached for our needs. And other servers had a positive, welcoming and kind attitude, which is a necessity of hospitality industry. Hopefully next time we get served with passion and we feel welcomed. read more

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Food was phenomenal. I am definitely going back. Our waiter really did a great job recommending pairing options. The ambiance is why you should time your visit to the sunset. I did enjoy my appetizer. It was the Brie and garlic. I had Moroccan lamb shank husband had salmon. He enjoyed his meal no pictures of his food. Oh please be aware you are sitting by water and outside so you will have bugs flying around. But there is no guarantee that a fly won't make it inside too. So pick outside read more

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I enjoyed my delicious made to order Cobb salad, We lined up and selected our salad options and dressing. There were plenty of clean tables. some outdoors with a beautiful view. A gift shop, drinks, desserts, coffee, soup, sandwiches, and poutine was served. read more

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Except for the great patio overlooking the lake, I don't get the craze over this place. The food is ok but nothing memorable and quite disappointing considering the type of place and price. Service was really nice but they could do better on the food front. Plenty of parking and great stop if you're traveling from Toronto to Niagara. read more

Lake House Restaurant - Mediterranean Near Me - Vineland, Ontario

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Wonderful atmosphere, great staff and food is fantastic! It would be nice to see a different menu once in a while because I feel like it's been the same menu for a few years now but other than that, it's a wonderful place!! read more

I have not had this spectacular of a meal in forever! Baked Brie appetizer was hot, creamy goodness. I ordered the boneless short ribs that melted in your mouth with the richest brown gravy and garlic mashed potatoes My husband had the shrimp Mac n cheese that included a good portion of large shrimp with gnocchi in a three cheese sauce heaven! When we thought it could get better, baklava cheesecake! Very cute place with an amazing view of Lake Ontario with an awesome wait staff. Great place to stop halfway between Buffalo and Toronto. The read more

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Amazing food ,service , ambiance but the views.... Perfect I guarantee. Please message me if you don't agree! I had the beef short ribs and the Moroccan lamb shank. Price point is reasonable. Make a reservation to avoid disappointment. read more

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OMG 5 +++ absolute Best food we've had since Italy 2 yrs. Ago!!!! Beautiful location, we didn't get to sit on patio but we got the view of the Lake! Started with some sangria loaded with fruits, very refreshing and delicious! Then we shared the Brie skillet, awesome! I had the Mac and cheese , sinfully rich and delectable plenty of Tiger shrimp, melt in your mouth gnocchi with several different cheeses all gooey and perfect! The wife had the boneless short ribs, WOW tender, delicious meat in a delectable sherry gravy over creamy mashed potatoes! Then to top it all off we shared the pistachio cheese cake with baklava WOW again!! I'm sure it all wasn't the best for our waistline but well worth the trip up to the Canada!!! Will DEFINITELY return for the exact same meal , soon! read more

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they have amazing food and service and are very accommodating would definitely come again

I've eaten at Lake House many times in the past 20 years! I've been there more frequently since 2019. It is a Mediterranean restaurant on the shoreline of southern Lake Ontario with an unobstructed view. On a clear day, you can also see Toronto! This is a fine dining restaurant with excellent service and very good food. I especially love their brie appetizer. The interior decor is upscale, especially the room with their bottles of wine. The indoor seating has 4 different seating areas plus a bar area. There is a large outdoor seating area facing the lake during warmer weather. This review is for the visit on 2023-03-05 with 6 people for brunch. We ordered the following: 1. Great Canadian Burger ($24). 2. Penne Pollo ($22) x 2. 3. French Toast ($20). 4. Salmon Crab Cakes and Poached Eggs ($28). 5. Cheeseburger combo from children's menu ($14). Cheeseburger, fries, and ice cream. Every dish was plated nicely. Everyone liked what they ate. I tried the French Toast and Salmon Crab Cakes. Both were delicious. I've never had a crab cake with salmon and crab. During the pandemic, when indoor dining wasn't allowed, they would bring your order out to your car. I had that experience once. There is free WiFi. The restaurant is wheelchair accessible. There are separate male/female washrooms that are wheelchair accessible. There is plenty of free parking in their private parking lot. Review 2023-044 read more

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Good food..great atmosphere and service. View would of been better but place was packed..value for money was decent.

My friends and I happened to pass by this restaurant, so we decided to stop and give it a try. We were pleasantly surprised by the delicious food at Lake House restaurant, and the staff provided excellent service. The restaurant's decor was also impressive. We only wished we had made a reservation to enjoy a scenic view of the lake during our dinner. It was worth it and I highly recommend eating here! read more

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3.5/5, +.5 for service Who doesn't love a restaurant by the lake? Especially one that you pass by on the QEW all the time going to/from Niagara. I went here back in late October after staying a night in Niagara Falls, because my parents and I told ourselves we have to visit here once. Surely the food's gotta be decent if it's been there forever right? The patio wasn't open that night, but if you're having date night in the middle of summer, I highly recommend the patio. Adjacent to the lake with a cool breeze, what more could go wrong? I started with a plate of calamari, followed by salmon crab cakes, and the shrimp mac n cheese. Since this place was known for Mediterranean cuisine, I stuck with their seafood options. I liked their calamari and crab cakes, and their prices were very reasonable considering the ambiance. The shrimp mac n cheese was decent, though the cheese was on the heavy side. Whether you like that or not depends on how much you like cheese; I wasn't able to finish the dish cause of how filling it was. Service was excellent here. I loved the house setting, location, and would recommend those looking for date night options to give this place a try. read more

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We came here on the way home from Niagara for my birthday lunch. I've always heard great things about this resto, so I was excited to finally come here. Also, I've passed this place at least 50 times from all the times I've gone to Niagara and New York, so it was nice to check it out for myself. The setting is beautiful and I can't wait to come back in the Summer because of the patio setting, that's right on the lake. For a random Tuesday in February, the place was half busy, which was surprising but pleasant to see. We got seated right away and everyone we encountered throughout our lunch was so friendly. I already had my heart set on the fettuccini bolognese but my bf couldn't decide between the lamb burger or the Great Canadian Burger. He asked our server and she recommended the Great Canadian Burger 1000%. It is award winning after all! So he went with that. Okay, the burger actually did taste award winning lol. I don't usually eat burgers but I had to try some this time, since it's award winning lol. My bf was like "wow". We were defs impressed. Don't know what it was about it but it just tasted like quality. My fettuccini bolognese was also really delicious. The sauce clung and coated the noodles perfectly. Pasta was cooked to perfection. The sauce was not too acidic or salty and the meat was plentiful. I had enough leftovers for a whole dinner. Would 100% order this again. We couldn't leave without having a lil something sweet. It was my bday after all! We each just decided to get one of the mini desserts. They were $5 each. For the portion it's defs not worth $5 lol but they tasted good, so that's okay. We got the vegan strawberry cheesecake and baklava pudding. Both my bf and I preferred the vegan cheesecake....surprisingly lol. Everyone that has passed by here and has wondered about this place, GO! You won't be disappointed. read more

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Took my girlfriend for her birthday to celebrate and we both really enjoyed our meals a lot. We were running a few minutes behind on our reservation time, but we called ahead to let them know and by the time we arrived, our table was ready to go, and we were seated immediately. Good thing too we had a reservation, because this place was packed! Walking through the front lobby area, there were so many people waiting, I didn't know if the food was THAT good or simply because it's right on the lake, probably both, lol. The ambience of the place was fairly nice, but it was so busy inside it was kind of hard to really take it all in if that makes sense. We ended up being near the wine racks and had two large parties surrounding us the entire time. in terms of the food, we started with two appetizers, the calamari and the P.E.I. mussles. The mussels are really delicious and they give you a very generous portion, while the calamari was just fine for me. it almost tasted like something from the store as they lacked any real sense of flavor, other than the dipping sauce they came with. I order from Prix Fixe mene for dinner so I bonus appetizer of baked brie also came to the table and that was scrumptious. It just was perfectly cooked and the jam it was served with was delightful. For main courses, I had the Moroccan lamb shank, which was served over a bed of couscous, while my partner had the Tiger Shrimp fettuccine. Both meals were delicious! both meals were delicious! The shank was perfectly cooked and the meat fell right off the bone! we both had a glass of sparkling wine to celebrate my birthday as well. By the time dessert arrive we were good and stuffed and we both select it one of the mini desserts offered. Can't recall what each were, but they tasted yummy. Overall, it was a really nice dining experience that was maybe a little more cramped than I would've cared for, but my partner enjoyed it, so I enjoyed I did as well. read more

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Best pepper corn steak ever! Need I say more. Great service, wonderful view of Toronto skyline..

Driving to and from Niagara, I am sure everyone has at least once said to themselves "One day I will get out of the highway at the right exit and try this lake house restaurant". Well, the anticipation in this case was definitely met with satisfaction. Decor-wise: The restaurant was so nicely done inside and in the patio. It gives an upscale, clean and well maintained feeling. Walking into it, your mind will wonder "oh where shall I sit? It looks so lovely with all the windows overlooking the lake"! For our lunch: We ordered the calamari and the Great Canadian burger with a bottle of white wine. Everything was lovely. Sometimes, when places are so well and beautifully located, they don't really try to go for the extra mile with their food or service. However, this is absolutely not the case for this restaurant. We enjoyed the food a ton, the burger was juicy and delicious. The bottle of wine was reasonably priced. Our waitress Natalie was genuine with her small talk. Such a pleasant experience. After our food, I really love how they brought out a little tray of mini desserts for you to choose from. $5 each in a shooter. That is the kind of creativity + personal touch that makes the experience remarkable. Nowadays, whenever I leave Niagara, I think to myself, maybe I will have a meal there to make the end of the trip even better! read more

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This is the second time I've ever been to Lake House restaurant and I have to say, the service is impeccable. We came by for some celebrations and booked a time. Seating is limited, timing is precise and service is excellent. We ordered many different items and I have to say food is as good as last time. I have to say lamb was probably the best dish. The cod was really good as was the steak and chicken. Caesar salad was good and the portion was large. Dessert was also good. I'm honestly still surprised at the quality as I always thought this was going to be either a touristy spot or a road side dive. It's neither! read more

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Really enjoyed this lovely lakeside establishment for a late Sunday brunch. Situated right on the way back to Toronto from Niagra, it's right off the highway and easy to get to/from. They were very busy but quickly sat a party of two, the ambiance is casual, but classy and upscale. They have a decent wine selection . The salmon cakes were a-okay and the smoked salmon brunch dish was delicious and fresh. I wish they still had lobster Mac n cheese- those pics looked good! Highly recommend Lake House as a pit stop on the way to wherever you are going! read more

Top to bottom, this place is perfection! Ive been driving by for years and I should have stopped in sooner Meal Quality: My table ordered starters of PEI Mussels, which were prepared perfectly, and Brie skillet, which disappeared at first bite by everyone lol. We then ordered a Mediterranean Mezze platter to share afterwards. For an entree, I ordered the Boneless Short Ribs which were tender and had a beautiful cheery sauce draped over the meat. I paired it with a full bodied Cabernet Franc that accented the short ribs very well. Oh, and then there was dessert which I ordered a fabulous Key lime pie (as suggested by our waitress). Aesthetic Appeal & Atmosphere: Sat in the wine cellar area which had relaxing lighting and a calming atmosphere Service: Waitress (I believe Kayln) was very charming and helpful with providing suggestions for food pairings. The maitre d' was very nice an welcoming too RATINGS: Meal Quality: 5 Aesthetic Appeal & Atmosphere: 5 Service: 5 read more

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Walking to our seats on the patio we were immediately impressed by the beautiful view of the lake. We came here for Sunday brunch and although the items on the menu looked very good, the selection was fairly limited. We ordered the PEI Mussels and really enjoyed them. Their was a great portion of mussels and the sauce and vegetables were delicious. The bread was very fresh and tasted great dipped in the butter sauce. However, after eating the mussels we waited a very long time for our entrees. We got them an hour after placing our orders, which is totally unacceptable. At this point we already knew we'd probably never come back here. After the frustrating wait, the food did end up being very good. The breakfast skillet was delicious, but I felt there weren't enough potatoes. As it is, the portion is a little too small and there's too much chorizo sausage. The penne pollo was good and we enjoyed the inclusion of the pine nuts! Overall I'd advise against coming here. Although the food and the views are very nice, the service is so terrible it's just not worth it. read more

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I decided to take a few days to head down to the Niagara region and wanted to stop in between for lunch. Since we're still in a pandemic and I wasn't too comfortable dining indoors, I searched Yelp and found Lake House Restaurant. There is an outdoor patio that overlooks Lake Ontario. The restaurant was pretty easy to find with GPS navigation. It's off of the QEW with a few turns that you have to navigate if you're headed east. There's plenty of parking. When I arrived just before lunch service started, there were already cars in the parking lot and they were already serving guests. If it's this popular on Thursday at noon, then it certainly has to be good. The restaurant only takes reservations for indoor dining. It's first-come-first-serve for outdoor dining. For indoor dining, they check your proof of vaccination. However, if you're dining outdoors, no proof is required. However, when you're seated, you're asked to fill out an online contact tracing form. Wifi is available and the password is printed on the menu. We were able to get a great spot on the patio overlooking the lake. There were birds flying over, people canoeing, etc. It was a pretty epic view. We started with the PEI mussels. The mussels were incredible and really stole the show compared to the mains. They were cooked a little less than I'm used to. I was impressed by how small and flavorful the garlic was cut. Originally, I thought it was parmesan because it had such a salty and savory taste. If you come here, I highly recommend the mussels. For mains, we ordered the lobster pizza and the great Canadian burger. The lobster pizza was a thin-crust pizza with poached lobster, melted asagio cheese, topped with arugula. The pizza was just okay. The lobster tasted good, but the pizza itself was quite oily and I'm not a huge fan of thin-crust pizza. I had to order the burger because it's apparently voted Niagara's best burger. The burger was quite loaded, topped with melted cheese, peameal bacon, a slice of tomato, arugula, pickles, and onion bacon jam. It was certainly tasty. I thought that Lake House Restaurant was a worthwhile detour. I'll definitely come back on trips between the GTA and Niagara. read more

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Great food, wonderful view of the lake. The chef is simply the best. Professional and friendly service. Even for me, a picky customer, this place deserves 10 out of 10. read more

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My friends brought me to canada for my birthday. We came here for dinner. The ambiance was everything. Before we got to the table the hostess sprinkled happy birthday confetti on the table which was so cute and thoughtful. We had a drink at the bar while we wait for our table. I ordered the kale salad for appetizer. Then I got the cod dish. It was prepared so perfect. And I topped my meal off with a petite Skor dessert. It was amazing. I am definitely coming here. read more

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the longest wait ever. waited 30min and waitresses just walked by us and even the manager. didnt even asked if we wanted water. worse service ever. and we had kids with us too read more

The food overall is very good at the Lakehouse and they are very responsive if any issues. We came the other day for a celebration and had the seafood paela. This time we were disappointed. When the Paela arrived at the table we saw 4 shrimp, 2 scallops, 2 octopus and calamari, lots of mussels. As we dug in it was loaded with chunks of chicken and many sausage and almost no more seafood. Our problem was that the chicken was super dry and also the sausage, and we thought the whole dish was seafood, especially at the price charged. Our choice for sure is no mix of chicken and sausage with such tasty seafood Paela shared dish. The waitress Kelee was very good and seemed to understand our concern. We will be having this again if mixed. We do like this restaurant. read more

Excellent. We were on holiday and traveling from Toronto to Niagara Falls - we saw the reviews on Yelp and opted to try. Everything we got was delicious: fresh, tasty, and pretty! The setting was clean and vibrant with lakeside view and fireplaces to keep you cozy. Highly recommend! read more

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Came here mother's day weekend with a group of people. Ambiance of the restaurant is fantastic, the view is breathtaking. The server was quite pleasant and made sure our experience was a over average. Although they consider themselves a Mediterranean restaurant, I personally didn't feel that way as the food options were limited. I ordered the steak and it was cooked perfectly as to my request. I would recommend this spot 100%! It was a great experience. read more

Lake House Restaurant - 10oz New York Steak - Mediterranean Near Me - Vineland, Ontario

The short rib was good but slightly dry. The service was terrific and obviously a million dollar view. Wish we had come an hour earlier to see more, when the night falls it's not always much of a view (although Toronto lit up is fun!). Something about the air, though, our entire party got extremely dry eyes in the dining room. read more

The food, stellar service, wide variety on the menu, emphasis on local produce, and terrific wine list of local wines, would give this restaurant five stars alone, and when you add the view over Lake Ontario, maybe five stars are not enough. Reasonable prices, And a nice ride-in-the-country vibe to the place. read more

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This is as a nice little place. We enjoyed our entrees. Friendly staff and good food.

Beautiful surroundings for a delicious meal. We enjoyed not only a great meal but also a great view of Lake Ontario. We ordered Semolina Crusted Calamari as an appetizer and Beef squires, Fish Tacos and Pizza for entrees. There was a mini-dessert tray to choose from and we ordered Caramel Pecan Fudge Cheesecake, Gluten Free Chocolate Cake and Pecan Tart and enjoyed every bite. The food was delicious, the wait staff was friendly, the surroundings were great, and their COVID plan was well executed. read more

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View is amazing. The food was mediocre at best while charging four star dining prices. Had the card dish and the card was under seasoned, there was rock salt on top which made it uncomfortable. Food is basic and service can be slow. read more